Monday, October 13, 2008

Magic Johnson has been a TV free agent for quite awhile now. He had been showing up on TNT from time to time, but the ex-NBAer never really had an official deal. Until now. ESPN/ABC announced during a conference call this morning that Magic Johnson will be the newest member of their studio team. Via ESPN....

Earvin “Magic” Johnson has joined ESPN as an NBA studio analyst and will mainly work with Stuart Scott, Mike Wilbon and Jon Barry on ABC's GMC NBA Countdown. He will provide analysis on Christmas Day – when ABC and ESPN combine to showcase an NBA tripleheader (beginning at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN) – and contribute to the networks' post-season studio coverage. The announcement was made by Norby Williamson, executive vice president, production.

“Magic has always been one of the most accomplished people in every field he has endeavored. He was an incomparable player and has become one of the best NBA analysts in the business. His unique insights, perspective and personality will be the perfect complement to Stuart (Scott), Mike (Wilbon) and Jon (Barry),” said Williamson.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the ESPN family. I look forward to working with a great team and covering all the big NBA events,” said Johnson. “Christmas Day can’t come soon enough for me.”

I don't really know how many people out there are a fan of Magic's studio work, and the hiring comes at a really weird time, but he might actually work with ABC's studio team. NBA Countdown is the only show where I can stand Stuart Scott and Wilbon and Barry can only help the guy improve.

The network also extended the contract of Jeff Van Gundy today in conjunction with the Magic announcement.

Magic wasn't very good at TNT, but I think that has something to do with TNT's format. Their show is built for Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley, and whenever a third analyst was added (Be it Magic, Reggie Miller, or David Aldridge), they just didn't fit.

As great of a player as Magic Johnosn was during the 1980's, he has been equally as bad on TV. He was terrible when he was a game analyst on NBC, and to be honest, he wasn't that good on TNT either. I think the hireing of Magic by ESPN/ABC is another attempted by the network to get some viewers to watch their horrendous studio show.